it's all about the quest...sharp & insightful information with analysis of the arts, celebrities, designers, various publications, and society.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Designer Kara Laricksdebuted her first full collection on Saturday September 8th at Pier 57 in West Chelsea. The former accessories designer, who at one time excelled as a purveyor of the neck tie for women, has blended a masculine sensibility with soft lightweight feminine pieces. Inspired by Japanese matchboxes, each piece embodies a feeling of yesteryear yet with a modern edge. Fabrics consist of cotton, organza, silk charmeuse, tropical weight rayon, and tropical weight gabardine are used to create classic, simple looks for spring. Laricks, a seasoned designer, by way of her 2008 showing with Academy of Art University, shows a great progression in her style, giving women a splendid functional first collection to be enticed by.

Sunday, September 09, 2012

Inspired by the farm and nature, a mix of Amish and country, Designer Gemma Kahng presents a fully functional collection for the chicest of women for Spring 2013. "A feeling of dependence and closeness to nature," are primary. Colors from a sunny day in the country. Blue like the color of the sky, pink and yellow like flowers and lots of green. Fabrications include leather and cotton tulle. Strips of leather were inspired by rain falling down--hence the lines.

Saturday, September 08, 2012

It's been quite awhile since we've captured the buzz of the Academy of Art University front row. However, the front of house was buzzing loudly last night Friday, September 7th as many recognizable faces drew discernible "ooohs and ahhhs" from onlookers. Loyal supporters of the fine work put out by the creative minds of Academy of Art University seasonally include: Fashion Journalist Patrick Mc Donald, Designer Keanan Duffty (now on faculty at Academy of Art University), Jack Mackenroth (Project Runway Season 4), Fashion Blogger Tia Walker and other industry cognescenti. Additionally, celebrities like Actor/Recording Artist Eric West, and Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen frequent the show.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

On Tuesday February 28th, the prestigious FIT Couture Council hosted a private tour of the Mueseum at FITs current masterpiece of an exhibit, Impact: 50 Years of the CFDA. The FIT Couture Council welcomed renown designers Mary Mc Fadden, Nicole Miller, and Angel Sanchez along with a select mix of Couture Council members and press. FIT's Museum Curator Patricia Mears informed attendees on the very modern take on the retrospective with designer facts being made accessible on various ipads before sharing the actual fashion of years gone by.

Noteworthy attendees included: Board of Director President Yaz Hernandez, Borad member Jean Shafiroff, Council Member Chiu-Ti Jansen, Council Member Karen Klopp, Council Member Michele Gerber Klein,Council Member/Designer Fabiola Arias, and Lucia Hwong Gordon.The tour was followed by a private luncheon co-hosted by New York Socialite Jean Shafiroff a FIT Couture Council Board Member. To follow are select photos from the event.

Monday, February 27, 2012

The 84th Annual Academy Awards - the "IT" factor in more ways than one albeit simple and understated. It was white for most of last night, with some wearing black, others wearing red. One shoulder looks dominated the carpet and seemed to dissipate in favor of strapless gowns as the evening progressed. The top looks of the evening belonged to (in no particular order): Gwyneth Paltrow (Tom Ford), Anjelina Joile (Atelier Versace), Michelle Williams (Louis Vuitton), Emma Stone (Giambatista Valli), and the earliest to arrive Milla Jovavich (Elie Saab). Bubbling under? Rooney Mara and Octavia Spencer each in white; Stacy Kiebler (Marchesa) and Jessica Chastain (Alexander Mc Queen) in metallics.

A simple, tasteful Tom Ford gown, in white, was the choice for presenter Gwyneth Paltrow who sported sleek tapered hair and barely a hint of jewelry.

Jolie's strapless black Atelier Versace with the thigh split beckoned a powerful hand on hip stance on stage as she announced nominees on stage.

Michelle Williams made a rather serious statement in a coral Louis Vuitton peplum column dress in gentile lace. A jeweled ribbon pin at hip was a nice touch.

Emma Stone dazzled in red with a floor length Giambatista Valli with bow at neck. First said to be too similar to Actress Nicole Kidman's style a few years ago, it was actually a stunner.

Milla Jovavich, the one time supermodel turned actress, wore it best in a beaded white one-shoulder Elie Saab gown.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

To overcome the forces of adversity and accomplish balance. This THEIA women's collection draws inspiration from the Goddess Athena, an invincible woman imbued with the powers of intellect and nature.

The collection's Arrmored Embroideries, Burnt Sequins, Crumpled Pearls,Jacquards and roses and blazing sunsets river her energies fierce and harmonious. Over fabrics of power radiance and glittering light the colelctions speaks.

Monday, January 16, 2012

A little known fact, the very first person we see and the very first to be photographed on a red carpet during awards season are often our favorite TV Hosts or as they say across the pond--TV Presenters. Before they took to the frontlines, with microphone in hand, Nancy O'Dell (Entertainment Tonight), Giuliana Rancic (E! News), Maria Menounos (Extra), and Shaun Robinson (Access Hollywood) among others, took to the carpet.

Nancy O'Dell dazzled in a floor length sequin THEIA gown said to have retailed for $1950; Co-Anchor Giuliana Rancic of E! News, who began her reporting quite early in the day, wore a floor length black and greyMonique Collignon gown before slipping into a pale blush number for the remainder of the evening ; Extra'sMaria Menounos (a one time Miss Massachusetts Teen USA) made a splash in a bright yellow BlueMarine dress and palladium diamonds by Jacob and Company; and lastly Access Hollywood's Shaun Robinson who stepped onto the carpet in Impero Couture--black and white never looked so lovely.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

The Art of Elysium celebrated its fifth annual HEAVEN Gala, last night, Saturday, January 14 --a day before the Golden Globes. This past fall The Art of Elysium celebrated 14 years of providing creative arts programming for hospitalized youth in Los Angeles and New York. This year’s Visionary and creative force behind HEAVEN is Cameron Silver, founder and co-owner of Decades. Art of Elysium is thrilled to unveil his idea of heaven on earth, or “elysium”,. The charity also recognized Elijah Wood as their 2012 Spirit of Elysium Recipient for his years of volunteerism and tireless fundraising efforts on the organization's behalf.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Last night's Thurgood Marshall College Fund 24th Anniversary Awards Dinner held at the New York Sheraton, Developed Minds and Delivered Dreams! The prestigious annual gala marked the 24 years of progress for theorganization that grooms the nation's future leader's of industry, government, and education. The gala's red carpet SIZZLED with a multitude of predominantly AfrIcan-American entertainment luminaries and educators that included: Blair Underwood, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lynn Whitfield, Rockmond Dunbar, Melyssa Ford, Carl Lewis, Johnny C. Taylor et al. The Quest for "it" snapped the precious photo above of Oscar Winning Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. and Media Mogul/Advocate Russell Simmons just moments before they entered the Grand Ballroom for the seated dinner. Simmons received the Breaking Barriers Award, later in the evening.

COCKTAIL CORNER

There is nothing more luxurious than the perfect cocktail. Certainly everyone should drink responsibly and when out on the quest one can drink "fashionably" with the help of this little cocktail suggestion